- Date Of Death: August 9, 2007
- State: Michigan
Edward J. Berndt, 85, of Sawyer, Michigan passed away Thursday night, August 9, 2007 at Caretel Inns of Royalton, St. Joseph.Ed was born February 4, 1922 in Riverside, Michigan, son of Albert and Anna (Swikoski) Berndt. He served his country during WWII in the U.S. Army Air Force, obtaining the rank of Corporal with the 97th Airdrome Squadron. Ed earned four Bronze Stars while stationed in Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. On May 26, 1951 Ed married Jean Kaleta at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Sawyer. He retired from Clark Equipment Company in 1975, where he worked as a mechanic.
Ed was a faithful Chicago Cubs fan and also followed the Detroit Tigers and Pistons. He attended many River Valley sporting events and rooted for his home team. He dearly loved his grandchildren and enjoyed going to their many activities. In his retirement, Ed enjoyed fishing and gardening. Ed was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council #1120 and Wee-Chik Post #518, New Troy.Ed is survived by his wife Jean; daughters, Diana (Theodore) Post of St. Joseph and Deborah (Richard) Rieth of Three Oaks; grandchildren, Wesley, Evan, and Jessie Rieth and Tara (Jedediah) Reinhardt; and sisters, Norine Radde and Marcella Weber, both of St. Joseph.
Ed was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Emma Jean Rieth in 1994 and sister, Alice Gartner.Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am, Monday, August 13, 2007 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Sawyer, with Reverend Father Don Suberlak, C.R. as Celebrant. Military Rites will be presented by the Wee-Chik American Legion Post #518, New Troy.
